the herb society of america great lakes district news...the herb society of america spring 2016...
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The Herb Society of America Spring 2016
Great Lakes District News
The Herb Society of America is dedicated to promoting the knowledge, use and delight of herbs through educational programs, research and sharing the experience of its members with the community.
Board Highlights
The HSA Board of Directors met via
Webinar February 27, 2016
Page 2-4
Reports from theDistrict
Units and Members at Large share their news.
Pages 4-9
Growing and Celebrating our
members
Page10
Member Benefits
Page 11
Great Lakes District Financials
and Unit Chairs
Page 12
“And Spring arose on the garden fair,Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breastrose from the dreams of its wintry rest.”
~Percy Bysshe Shelly, The Sensitive Plant, 1820~
Hello Spring!
As we take our cue from Mother Nature, we begin a new garden season. Spring and summer gardening should be interesting following our unusual winter weather. We are, however, grateful for the change of season and all the beauty in our spring gardens.
We also begin new herb programs and activities in our units and the new every other year format for the Annual Meeting of Members of The Herb Society of America in Asheville, North Carolina. If you can’t get to Asheville, closer to home, The Great Lakes District Gathering this year will be in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
Cyndy Bellaver and her committee announce the program theme will be, Gemuetlichkeit: Celebrating Frankenmuth Hospitality. Mark your calendars for July 15-16, 2016 for this intriguing program. More information to come.
In addition to being grateful for Spring, I would also like to extend my appreciation for your vote of confidence in allowing me to continue to represent the Great Lakes District on the HSA Board of Directors. It is my honor and privilege to share HSA news with you and also to bring any of your questions and concerns to the Board. Sharing this information both ways is important to the health of HSA. I look forward to seeing many of you in Asheville and at your unit activities in the future.Happy Gardening! Bonnie
The Herb Society of America, Inc.
Highlights from the Board of Director’s Meeting
Via Webinar
February 27, 2016
Status of Motions before the Board:
• Accepted the Business Minutes of the May 2015 Annual Meeting of Members as corrected.
• Accepted the minutes of the 2015 Fall Board Meeting as corrected.
• Accepted the 2016 Winter Board Reports as amended.
• Accepted the proposal by the HSA Board Expense Cost Reduction Ad Hoc Committee to eliminate the $25 per day reimbursement for food expenses.
• Approved twelve Operating Manual documents as presented and amended.
• Accepted proposal to offer a HSA library only membership to non-HSA members in Lake and Geauga County with provisions as provided in the proposal.
• Elected the honorary president for the term of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018.
• Accepted the Third Quarter Financial Reports as distributed and reviewed in the morning facilitation.
• Approved the reduction of the board designated National Herb Garden Fund to a $100,000 base.
• Approved the reduction of the board designated Research and Education Fund to a base of $115,000.
• Approved to defund the board designated Library Fund and to transfer the monies into operating.
• Accepted the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2017.
President
• On January 23, 2016 the board convened for a day of board facilitations:
o Guest speaker, Lois Sutton, presented Strategic-Tactical- Operational Management
o Rae McKimm led a facilitation on strategic planning
o Susan Liechty presented HSA Board Expense Cost Reduction Ad Hoc Committee report
o Debbie Boutelier presented a proposal for future award pins.
o Susan and Rae presented a facilitation on future board restructure ideas.
o Katrinka Morgan presented a facilitation on board retreat cost estimates.
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• Prior to the February 27th board meeting being called to order, Lin Lange led facilitations on the Fiscal Year 2016 Third Quarter Financial Report and the Fiscal Year 2017 Proposed Budget.
Vice President
• Twelve Operating Manuals documents were reviewed, amended and approved by the board: The Treasurer Job Description; Finance and Operations Committee, HSA Donation Policy, Investment Management Committee, Members at Large Fund Guidelines, Awards Committee, Awards Program Information and Description, Nomination and Election Policy, Membership Program, Business Membership, Membership Renewal Guidelines, New Unit Formation Guidelines
Secretary
• Electronic votes were read into the minutes.
o On Oct. 31, 2015: The 2016 HSA award nominees were accepted as follows:
▪ Helen de Conway Little Medal of Honor: Kathy Schlosser, North Carolina Unit,
▪ Nancy Putnam Howard Award for Excellence in Horticulture: Elizabeth Kennel, Philadelphia Unit
▪ Joanna McQuail Reed Award for the Artistic Use of Herbs: Billie Beadle, Pennsylvania Heartland Unit
▪ Elizabeth Crisp Rea Award: Don Haynie, Virginia Commonwealth Unit
▪ Certificate of Achievement:
o Ann Wilson, Member at Large,
o Mark Ragland, Virginia Commonwealth Unit
o Jane Brubaker, Pennsylvania Heartland Unit,
▪ Certificate of Appreciation:
o Mary Lou Winder, Potomac Unit
o Pam Harris, South Texas Unit
o Anita Bradley, Pennsylvania Heartland Unit
o On Jan 26, 2016: Nicoll Cadwalader Brinley, Connecticut Unit, was elected to fill the vice president position effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018. After that time, she will move into the president position for two years and, then, serve two years as nominating and awards chair.
o On Feb. 5, 2016:
▪ Approved the nomination of the candidate for treasurer for the term July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019.
▪ Approved the nomination of the candidate for Membership Chair for the term July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019.
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o On Feb. 22, 2016: Gloria Hunter was appointed to fill the unexpired term as membership chair effective immediately through June 30, 2016.
Botany and Horticulture:
• The Notable Natives for the next five years and the 2017 Promising Plants were announced.
• Debbie Boutelier has been appointed as chair of the GreenBridgesTM Program
Publications:
• Deadline for articles for The Herbarist 2016 is April 1. Send submissions to [email protected]
Development:
• The Annual Appeal raised over $34,000 to date which has exceeded the amount raised in 2014.
Membership:
• New membership benefits were announced. Mountain Rose is giving a 10% discount to HSA members and Botanical Interest is extending a 15% discount to members through the end of April.
Education:
• The Annual Meeting of Members will be held on April 29 in Asheville N.C.
• The 2017 Annual Meeting of Members and Educational Conference will be held in Little Rock, AR on May 3rd through 7th.
Nomination:
The slate letter will be sent out to the membership prior to the annual meeting.
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Annual Meeting of Members April 29, 2016
Asheville, North Carolina
Around the Great Lakes…
Central Ohio Unit
Members of the Central Ohio Unit took advantage of events presented throughout the District last summer and fall. Our Chair, Mary Ellen Angeletti and several other unit members attended the Great Lakes Gathering in August. All of those who attended enjoyed a fun filled time. Mary Ellen especially enjoyed Jan Hilty sharing the herb garden which she and the members have established and maintained there. Mary Ellen, Carla and Betty shared their pictures and memories of the Great Lakes Gathering in Lakeside on Lake Erie with the rest of the unit at our September meeting.
In October many of our members responded to the invitation sent by our Western Reserve Herb Society sisters to visit their Herb Fair on Saturday, October 10th in Cleveland. Their Fair also celebrated their 70th year of promoting herbs, caring for their herb garden, and sharing their many herbal products. And what a success the Fair was! Since The Fair itself was located inside the Cleveland Botanic Garden we could also shop the fabulous Botanic Garden Shop and visit the very nice restaurant there for our lunch.
A guided tour of the Western Reserve Herb Garden was offered and our group chose to do this together. Savories were featured everywhere with tips for how to grow and use this versatile herb in cooking, wreaths, and potpourris. We received soft bound books of the herb garden with lovely hand drawn sketches of the plants in each garden and with the common & botanical name of each plant! Our members came away with lots of ideas for new plants to use in our Herb Garden.
During the meeting, September 9, unit members exchanged recipes for both summer and winter savory. They also shared any additional experience using and growing savory. At the Quarterly Meeting, on November 4, Mary
Ellen Angeletti welcomed the visitors to our program and recognized Bonnie Porterfield of Hudson, Ohio, as the Great Lakes District Delegate to The Herb Society of America and expressed appreciation for her making the trip to our program. Cathy Pickrel introduced our special guest, Jan Kish, as a founding member of our herb unit for over 30 years. She has a patent on a knot garden baking pan, has national recognition on television shows and makes edible arrangements among many other activities. Jan provided attendees with appetizers she had made and she then made two items in front of the audience. One was an apple flower petal appetizer and the other a garland of spun sugar for decorating a donut hole Christmas tree. There was a hand-out of recipes for this well attended program.
On Wednesday ,December 9th, Anne Rauck hosted our annual Christmas Party at her home. Anne's home is gorgeous, and it was beautifully decorated thanks in part to three Christmas elves named Joan Derstine, Carla Fournier, and Rita Burns. Elves were needed since Anne is recovering from major surgery on her foot. These elves helped with all kinds of preparations not only on the evening of the 9th but for many days prior to the 9th. Kudos to Anne and the Christmas elves for the special gift of a delightful evening for those of us who were fortunate to be able to attend.
We are so happy to report that our Central Ohio Unit of HSA now has a web page with the address of centralohioherbsociety.org.We have paid to have it for one year which we can renew in a year if we are pleased with it. Meanwhile we can add all kinds of information, photos, etc. We owe this accomplishment to our member, Jean Ralley and her son, David, whose expertise made it possible. Kudos to them! Our goal is to spark interest in our group and hopefully to attract new members. Time will tell but it is worth a try. Jan Lawler
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Delaware County Unit
In October, the Delaware County Unit gathered at Cindy Bell’s home to make fire cider tonic in preparation of this winter’s cold and flu season. We used the Rosemary Gladstar’s recipe for this tonic. The autumn air was filled with scents of fresh ginger, garlic, horseradish, and apple cider vinegar.
Also in October, several Delaware Unit members attended the Western Reserve Herb Fair. It was a very nice event with a lot of, wonderful herb related things to purchase—not one of us left empty handed!
At our next meeting in November at Jan Hilty’s home, we completed making the fire cider tonic. Additionally at the November meeting, we made (quite tasty!) herb salts to be given as holiday gifts or to use in our own home kitchens. Susan Liechty gave a short presentation on various types of salts.
Some of the Delaware County Unit members visited the HSA Headquarters Open House. The festive mood was set by HSA staff with snow outside and warm holiday decorations, smells, and conversation inside.
The Delaware County Unit rounded out the year with a very merry holiday gathering where there was delicious food prepared by the members along with warm, relaxed companionship.
Phyllis Hohe, Unit Chair
Frankenmuth Mid-Michigan Unit
On April 13, our unit will host its 34th Annual Herbal Spring Luncheon. This year's guest speaker will be nationally-acclaimed culinary herbalist and food writer, Susan Belsinger, and she will be presenting: Chile Peppers: From Mild to Wild. Please check our website, www.frankenmuthherbsociety.org for more information. Tickets will go on sale March 1.
On July 15 & 16, our unit is honored to host the 2016 Great Lakes District Gathering. The theme for this year is: Gemuetlichkeit – Celebrating Frankenmuth Hospitality through European Cuisine, Garden Art, and Garden History.
Our unit recently decided to purchase a laptop computer and projector that we plan to use for power point presentations and HSA webinars!
Joy Gajewski, Unit Chair
Grosse Pointe Unit
Spring Tea April 9, Speaker, Holly Shimizu
Ann Eatherly, Unit Chair
Michiana Unit
No report
Barbara Behnke, Unit Chair
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Southern Michigan Unit
We continue to study peppers with a member presenting a mini lecture at each meeting using peppers in the lunches and appetizers served at each meeting.
November found the Southern Michigan Unit planning to be part of a holiday program at historic Cranbrook House and Gardens where we maintain two gardens. We were asked to decorate the formal dining room. “Here We Come a Wassailing” was our theme. Members of the display committee gathered their vintage china and flatware and punchbowls and set the scene for a traditional English Christmas.
In December we held our annual auction. We had an excellent selection of offerings such as dinner for four cooked at your home, two hours of garden consultation, gift baskets, and antiques. We made $630.00 for the gardens at Cranbrook.
January finds the unit happily welcoming a member transferring from the Nashville Unit. We have enjoyed getting to know her. She will be a wonderful addition to our unit.
The plant committee is working with our wholesale grower on a plant list for the annual plant sale in May at Cranbrook House and Gardens.
Carol Czechowski, Unit Chair
Western Pennsylvania Unit
No report
Debbie Clark, Kathryn Romey, Co-Unit Chairs
Western Reserve Unit
The weather is treating us kindly in northern Ohio, very little snow, bearable temperatures, of course we had a few days of uncomfortable weather but the “feel” of spring is in the air. Our Unit has been very busy this season.The 2016 Herb of the Year™ Peppers Capsicum, was the topic of our January Culinary/Horticulture meeting. We took an in-depth look at peppers starting with history, cultivation, uses and of course ending with a delicious buffet featuring peppers as a main ingredient.Our next Culinary foray is to the land of handmade chocolates (what a lovely place to be). We are off to Lilly Handmade Chocolates, to learn about chocolate and the unusual combinations Amanda and Joshua Montague create. For example:
• Hot Llama Truffle: aji panca & aji amarillo chilies + cayenne pepper + buttered pecans + double chocolate ganache + dark chocolate
• Forty Winks Truffle: double chocolate lavender ganache + candied violet & rose petals + dark chocolate
If you are in Cleveland be sure to stop at Lilly’s, you won’t regret it.
Our Education Committee is working hard to fill all speaker requests. On average we have at least one speaking engagement per month. In the fall we are testing a teaching partnership with The Holden Arboretum. Our members will have the opportunity to introduce a new audience to herbs and herb gardening. The speaking engagements all add to our revenue stream.
It’s very exciting to see how many inquiries we have received about Membership this past year and it would seem the New Year looks promising as well. We have 88 members (active, sustaining,
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and honorary) and 11 prospective members. Each of our prospective members is mentored by an active. This system works very well, it is reassuring to have someone who knows the ropes to guide you. Our website and newsletter have helped prospectives immensely with questions and curiosity.
Our Website has undergone major changes. We secured funding from the Board and Finance Committee for the mass mailing plug-in and the implementation of the same. This feature enables the Scholarship Committee to send our scholarship information to over 600 colleges and universities. Our scholarship application is available on our website; making these documents interactive so students can complete their application on line. We hope to place our membership application on line too. We can do mass mailings and send information to the public and membership with this new addition.
Our 70TH ANNUAL HERB FAIR was by all accounts a smashing success. Ten Departments plus a new "Seasonal Treasures" Department, all presented great products and herbal information to our public. New this year were the three "Make and Take" Herbal Crafts, organized by Kathleen Gips…Herbal Vinegars, Savory Herb Rub, and Herbal Garden Teas. They attracted both children and adults who enjoyed making these products, over one hundred were sold. The fall garden was beautiful still providing lemon grass, rosemary, basil, thyme and sage for fresh cut bags of herbs that were very popular, and sold for $1.00. Garden tours, plants to sell from our garden and the pleasure of enjoying a magical day in the Herb Garden added to the successful event.
Remember "spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" --Robin Williams. See everyone in Asheville.
Kathy Mahovlic, Unit Chair
Members at Large
OHIO HERB EDUCATION CENTER
The Ohio Herb Education Center, located at 110 Mill St., is open Tuesday-Friday 12-6 pm and Saturday 12-4 pm. Shop our array of herbal related books, body care products, tea and accessories, culinary items and our signature Herbal Surrender blends.
Herb DaySaturday, May 7, 20169am-4pmCreekside Plaza, 117 Mill St.Come celebrate all things herbal. Herb Day is centered around a plant sale which involves over 100 varieties of fresh, organic herbs available for purchase for your home and garden. Shop local artists and vendors booths that offer unique, garden inspired, and hand-made items. Participate in valuable presentations from local herbal experts on a variety of subjects.
An Herbal Affair:Plant Preview Event featuring Food & Cocktail Pairings,Friday, May 6 from 7-9pm,withtechniques from the culinary, wellness, and craft areas to name a few.
These are just a few of the offerings at the Ohio Herb Eduction Center. Check out the website ohioherbcenter.org for additional classes and activities.
Please call 614-342-4250 to register for classes.
Brooke Sackenheim
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The Franklin Gardener's Association is sponsoring a House & Garden Tour on July 2, 2016 from 12 - 4 p.m. rain or shine. Franklin is a Victorian town located in the beautiful foothills of Western Pennsylvania between Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania in Venango County. The House and Garden tour highlights historical homes as well as perennials, container gardening, porch scapes and much more. The downtown boasts a variety of shops and great restaurants, so enjoy a day out!
If you need additional information, please contact me at [email protected]
Lisa Smith
The Great Sunflower Project-Year 2
For the second year, WRHS under the leadership of Mary K Evans took part in THE GREAT SUNFLOWER PROJECT, a national effort to study bee pollinators. Throughout the USA volunteers count honey bees at a consistent test site once per week. They record the number and kinds of bees that visit one sunflower bloom in a specific time period, as well as the time, weather, and any unusual observations. The data gathered is analyzed by THE GREAT SUNFLOWER PROJECT to document whether there is a connection between neonicotinoid pesticides and the decline of honey bees in the United States.
Again in 2015, volunteers from WRHS planted Lemon Queen Sunflowers at our test site between the Culinary Section and the Rose Section in the north end of the WRHS Herb Garden in support of this project. Trying to grow the Lemon Queen Sunflowers in the WRHS Herb Garden was a struggle of gardeners VS critters this year! Chipmunks and squirrels dug up the seeds planted directly in the soil, and then chewed off the few plants able to sprout. Sunflowers grown inside from seed and transplanted when 6 to 8
inches tall were also chewed up or their stems were broken by the critters. Then Kathy Petersen planted 12 Lemon Queen Sunflowers in her condo courtyard, and nurtured them until they were about 18 inches tall and sturdy. We planted them and draped a dark plastic mesh for protection along the yew hedge. This seemed to deter the critters, and wasn't obtrusive due to the dark mesh color. We also planted one sunflower in the Medicinal Garden Southeast Quadrant. Finally, we had blooming sunflowers and were able to collect data about the bees that visited them.
Next year we will start the plants sooner in a protected environment such as Kathy Petersen’s condo yard. This will hopefully result in larger plants and less critter damage. We are also saving the resulting sunflower seeds from year to year so we consistently have Lemon Queen Sunflowers for the project.
For list of neonicotinoid pesticides see dropdown menu under "pollinator info" at:www.greatsunflower.org
Mary K Evans
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Growing and Celebrating… The Great Lakes District is growing. Please welcome our newest members since the last edition of the newsletter.Central Ohio Unit-Connie Emerson Delaware Co.Unit-Joyce Petrek Frankenmuth-Mid Michigan Unit- Audrey Palmreuter, Joanne TersigniGrosse Pointe Unit-Donna BattenMembers at Large-Sharon Benson, Elise Bunce, Tamara Cooper, Deanna Clifford,John Gagnon, Britt Johnson, Joanne Lapic, Tammy Mellert, Jill Reid, Rita Robinson, Pamela Rotella, Maria ZampiniSouthern Michigan Unit- David Harenchar, Stephan SmithWestern Reserve Unit-Bobbi Henkel, Mary Beth Kohl, Linda Moeller-Mansour,Paula Rossi.If you have joined since our last newsletter and your name does not appear, it takes a little time to process new applications. Your name should appear in our next newsletter.
Rosemary Circle Congratulations for 25 Years of Membership .Members at Large-Hildegard Adkins, Mary Ann Henz, Debra Knapke, Evonne Kovach, Ginny MillerSouthern Michigan-Dianne Hilborn, Jackie WalleyWestern Pennsylvania-Katherine MontgomeryWestern Reserve-Joy Walworth
newly redesigned Golden Sage pins
Golden Sage Award The Golden Sage Award is given for 50 years membership in HSA. Congratulations to Thea and Art Steinmetz for this wonderful accomplishment. Thea has been Chairman of Western Reserve Unit, Great Lakes District Delegate and in 2012, received the HSA Certificate of Achievement. Best wishes Thea and Art!
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Summer Newsletter Deadline May 9, 2016
Please email your news to [email protected] on
or before this date.
Did you know you are a Member with Benefits?
In addition to the Member Benefits found on the HSA website, there are two new benefits added, see below. Being a member in HSA gives you discounts at: Richters Herbs, Growers Exchange, Herbal Academy of New England, The Science and Art of Herbalism Home Study Course, The HSA Garden Gallery, one year subscription to Mother Earth Living, complimentary or reduced admission fees to public gardens and arboreta associated with the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program, and symposia and tour discounts including the Educational Conference and Annual Meeting of Members, featuring tours, workshops and lectures. Business Members have additional benefits. All the details to these discounts are found on the HSA website home page under the Join tab, Membership Benefits.
Webinars Webinars too, are a Member Benefit and a great way to learn exciting new herbal information without leaving the comfort of your own home. Upcoming Webinars are: April 14, 2-3 P.M. ESTHerb Safety 101: Guidelines to Using Herbs WiselyPresented by Maria Noel Groves, head of Wintergreen Botanicals, LLC, an herbal clinic and education center
May Webinar, May 19, 2-3 P.M. ESTHSA's 2016 Promising Plants– Reviews and Promises Presented by Elizabeth Kennel, Education Chair, Philadelphia Unit
Check out www.herbsociety.org for all your Member Benefits
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2016 Unit Chairs Central Ohio Cathy Pickrel
Delaware County, Ohio Phyllis Hohe
Frankenmuth Mid -Michigan Joy Gajewski
Grosse Point Ann Eatherly
Michiana Barbara Behnke
Southern Michigan Carol Czechowski
Western Pennsylvania Debbie Clark, Kathryn Romey Co-chairs
Western Reserve KathyMahovlic
Great Lakes District Financial Reportas of December 31, 2015
Balance Forward $10,577.67
Gathering Income 0 Gathering Expense 0Contributions 100.00Interest 114.91Total Income 214.91
District Travel 349.25Newsletter 68.56(Emma) 45.00Office 0Total Expense 462.81
Net Income (247.90)
Ending Balance $10,329.77
2015 Gathering Income $2,993.96
GREAT LAKES DELEGATEBonnie Porterfield7580 Andover Way
Hudson, Ohio 44236330-650-1533
HSA HEADQUARTERSKatrinka Morgan, Exec. Director
9019 Kirtland-Chardon RoadKirtland, Ohio 44094